Solicitor who faked client care letters in “moment of madness” is struck off
A solicitor who faked three client care letters and backdated them has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The SDT rejected Rafique Chowdhury’s claims that he acted “in a moment of madness” and was “regularising the files, not seeking to mislead anyone”.
Online legal document firm creates “dementia-specific” lasting power of attorney
A business specialising in legal documents has created a web-based, dementia-specific lasting power of attorney that it claims is far superior to the online LPA provided by the government. Net Lawman has teamed up with the Alzheimer Society-backed dementia support website Unforgettable.org to distribute the LPA.
LSB rule change to put spotlight on spending by professional bodies
The Legal Services Board has announced a change in its practising certificate fee rules, which will put the spotlight on spending by professional bodies such as the Law Society and Bar Council. Both professional bodies opposed the change.
Digital legal services for low-income clients “close to tipping point”
The digital delivery of legal services in England and Wales to people formerly on legal aid could be at the cusp of a “tipping point”, according Britain’s foremost researcher into online law, Professor Roger Smith. He also predicted that high street law firms would be increasingly vulnerable to website-based national brands, as retailers have been to Amazon.
Solicitor “unable to distinguish right from wrong” fined £10,000
A sole practitioner who claimed to be “unable to distinguish right from wrong” has been fined £10,000 by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal said Claire Flood’s decision to transfer money from client accounts to pay her tax bill lacked “moral soundness, rectitude and a steady adherence to an ethical code”.
A seven-page code and solicitors practising wherever they want – the SRA’s vision of the future
The Solicitors Regulation Authority yesterday unveiled a seven-page code of conduct for solicitors and six-page code for firms as part of a radical shake-up of the way it oversees the profession. The most significant change, if approved, would mean that solicitors could deliver unreserved services to the public from organisations that were not regulated by the SRA.
Major study: Some in-house lawyers find their ethics “under pressure”
Half of in-house lawyers face having to advise on ethically or legally debatable actions, while a similar number complain that actions are sometimes taken against their advice on “legally important matters”, a major report has revealed.
SRA bows to pressure and puts SQE on hold
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has bowed to fierce opposition from universities and law schools, and put its plans to introduce a new centralised assessment test for future solicitors on hold. The SRA’s board was due to decide on whether to go ahead at its meeting yesterday.
Bogus solicitor who ‘stole’ law firm’s name given suspended sentence
A bogus solicitor who provided immigration advice while using the name of a legitimate law firm has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Peter Campbell, 40, of Forest Gate, London, pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to 10 charges of providing unregulated immigration advice and services.
Niche contract ABSs aim to rewrite the rules
Two separate alternative business structures specialising in commercial contracts went live today – each offering clients a non-traditional alternative to corporate law firms. Wavelength.law makes sophisticated use of new technology, while Ember Contract Solutions is part of a management consultancy.
